Researchers have discovered that "Fermi arcs," which are much-debated features found in the electronic structure of high-temperature superconducting (HTSC) cuprates, can also be found in an iridate (iridium oxide) compound–strontium iridate. Read more...

Researchers recently uncovered the first step in the process that transforms gas-phase molecules into solid particles like soot and other carbon-based compounds. It's a discovery that could help combustion chemists make more efficient, less polluting fuels and help materials scientists fine-tune their carbon nanotubes and graphene sheets for faster, smaller electronics. Read more...

The 2014 ALS User Meeting featured notable scientific speakers and a review of the year's accomplishments as well as a look forward to dealing with challenging funding realities. In the midst of great talks and poster sessions, the more than 400 attendees were treated to the always informative and entertaining "Student Poster Slam," which seems to grow every year. Read more about the speakers, science highlights, and award winners...

On October 1-3, 2014, the ALS hosted a workshop on Soft X-Ray Science Opportunities Using Diffraction-Limited Storage Rings. The workshop charge was to elaborate transformational research opportunities that would be enabled by emerging storage-ring-based ultrahigh brightness.Read more...

Ringleaders: Giselle Jiles and Angel Hernandez, User Office

User office guest registration "specialists" Angel Hernandez and Giselle Jiles play a unique role at the ALS--they are often the first line of face-to-face contact new users have when they arrive for their beam time. As such, the two see themselves as the caregivers of the ALS user experience. Read more...

In early October the ALS hosted a workshop on Soft X-Ray Science Opportunities Using Diffraction-Limited Storage Rings (see above); take a look at the busy attendees (and great views!) in Looking at the Future of Soft X-Ray Science.

The workshop was followed by a very busy ALS User Meeting (see above) with a host of exciting speakers and workshops, photos of which can be found at 2014 ALS User Meeting.

In Memory: Bob Miller and Dennis Lindle

The ALS community lost two long-term contributors to the success of the facility this month, Bob Miller and Dennis Lindle.

Bob worked at Berkeley Lab from 1960 to 2000, and had his hand in all the major projects, from leading operations for the Bevatron to taking over the lead for day-to-day construction of a certain accelerator called the ALS in 1990. Not only did Bob know how everything worked and its history, he was also known for his kindness, enthusiasm, and his twinkling sense of humor. See photos and read reminiscences from his former colleagues Ben Feinberg and Jim Krupnick.

Dennis was a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he had worked since 1991. As a graduate student for Dave Shirley in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he also became involved with developing the scientific case for the ALS, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2013. He made outstanding contributions to AMO science and to the ALS as chair of the Users' Executive Committee. Read more about Dennis, his life, and his work at the ALS.

UEC Corner

2014 ALS User Meeting

The 2014 ALS User Meeting was a grand success! Thanks to the organizers, speakers, and participants. See you next year!

For the user runs from September 17 to October 13, the beam reliability [(time scheduled - time lost)/time scheduled)] was 97.2%. For this period, the mean time between failures (MTBF) was 39.4 hours, and the mean time to recovery (MTTR) was 76 minutes. There were no significant interruptions.